Premium starts with the same base tobaccos as Five Star, but has a hint of St. James region Perique for added spice and depth. We cut the Perique to a very fine consistency by had then add it to the blend and hand tumble the mixture to ensure that the Perique is evenly suspended throughout the entire blend. The result is a Virginia/Perique blend that is consistent from one bowl to the next.

I'm continuing through my Five Star Sampler. This was a great way for me to try several blends each one adding a particular element over the last. This blend replaces the latakia in luxury with perique. Five Star premium was not my cup of tea. I appreciated to latakia in luxury much more than the perique in the premium blend. This was my first experience with perique. It seemed sharp and tangy for my palate. I "might try again, but not keep on hand".

Freddy's Five Star Premium is my current favorite VA/Perique blend. If you're looking for a very strong Perique flavor this is definitely the blend for you! The Perique is strongly evident upon first inspection. The coloring is predominantly dark with some brown highlights. You can smell the spicy scent of the Perique as you load your bowl. Don't get me wrong, while the Perique is very strong, the woodsy flavor of the Virginias is completmented nicely and has no problem making itself known. The room aroma almost exactly matches the odor of the unlit tobacco. Premium can be purchased in 5 lbs bulk and it will sometimes arrived a little wet. Letting it air out for a day or so greatly improves its smoking qualities. Very easy to light and all my bowls have smoked to the bottom without any trouble. Very little dottle and a dark grey ash is what remains. I have yet to determine DTG on this blend, but I suspect it to be good.